Buoyant Material Trap With Removable Wall Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grease and oil traps for commercial sinks are inefficient in removing buoyant materials like grease, oil, and floatable solids from fluid streams, often trapping fluids and being difficult to clean, especially when contaminated with solids.
Innovation Solution
A buoyant material trap with a treatment tank and circuitous passage system that prevents fluid flow from passing below, allowing buoyant materials to rise and be collected, with removable wall structures for easy cleaning and optional mesh bags or wire cages to collect debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealed chamber with baffles is used to separate fluids, then fluid separation can be achieved, but the device becomes difficult to clean and unsuitable for fluids contaminated with solids
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional zones: a treatment chamber with removable wall structures and a separate overflow chamber. This segmentation allows the treatment chamber to be accessed and cleaned independently while maintaining the separation function during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structures forming the circuitous passage are designed to be movable and removable rather than fixed. This dynamic design enables easy cleaning and maintenance while maintaining the fluid separation capability during normal operation.
2Reliability
If a spiral passage is used to separate oil from water, then fluid separation can be achieved, but the fluid remains trapped and does not flow over the passage
Solution Approach 1:
The passage is divided into multiple sections with wall structures that create a circuitous route. This segmentation forces the fluid to follow a longer, more complex path that improves separation while maintaining continuous flow through the overflow chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage transitions from a simple spiral two-dimensional path to a three-dimensional circuitous route with vertical and lateral components. This dimensional change increases the separation surface area and improves buoyant material collection while maintaining flow continuity.
3Reliability
If wall structures extend from base wall to below sidewall to prevent fluid bypass, then fluid separation efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wall structures are segmented into multiple removable sections rather than a single complex continuous structure. This segmentation simplifies the individual components while maintaining the overall circuitous passage function and improving separation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable wall structures serve multiple functions: they form the circuitous passage for fluid separation, act as barriers to prevent bypass flow, and provide accessible surfaces for cleaning and maintenance. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively separates buoyant materials from denser fluids, facilitating easy cleaning and maintenance, and can be integrated into existing systems to enhance separation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
allows buoyant material in the fluid flow to rise above the circuitous passage
Data Source
AI summary
A buoyant material trap having a treatment tank with a base wall and a vertically-extending sidewall, a feed pipe to introduce fluid at a first location in the tank, and an exit pipe to remove at least a portion of the fluid from a second location in the tank. One or more wall structures form a circuitous passage between the first location and the second location. The wall structures are open at the top and substantially prevent fluid from passing below the passage, but allow buoyant material to rise above the passage. The walls may extend to the bottom of the tank to prevent fluid from passing beneath them, and may be removably installed in the tank to facilitate cleaning. An overflow chamber may be provided to receive buoyant material. The sidewall may have a spout and be adapted to empty the tank by tilting.